Dear President Barack Obama,

When I first followed you, the Illinois State Senator, you were about to give a speech at the 2004 democratic convention. I listened to your hopeful, inspiring message and knew then, you’d aspire to great things. I had a feeling then that if anyone could sail this ship through tough waters it would be you.

Now you’re the President of the United States. I’m proud to say that I voted for you, and I couldn’t be prouder of my fellow citizens for changing the course of history. But the people our country are suffering now, and you need to listen closely to small business owners like myself.

2009 was the worst year I’ve had so far since establishing my business 16 years ago and it’s now March of 2010 and it is starting to look even worse than 2009. I suffered but managed to climb back even after September 11th, and this is worse than the months that followed that attack to our nation and my neighborhood. I wasn’t sure that I would survive then, and I’m not sure I can survive now.

The banks are tight with lending, the credit lines are running slim, and the job prospects are few and far between.

If I’m just one, in many small businesses, how are we going to survive? What can you do to help me?

I hope that you will do all that I hoped for when I voted for you, which is CHANGE Washington D.C! If you cannot get the republicans to agree, then you have the majority, so just get us what we need. Pass health care reform, help small businesses all that you can. Get the banks to open the channels of lending till we get this economy moving again. We’re waiting and hoping…

Susan